Pet-Friendly Malls? First, Let’s Fix Our Civic Habits

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 26, 2025: Recent incidents once again highlight the careless and non–civic-minded attitudes that still persist among Malaysians. The piles of rubbish left behind after the Christmas Eve celebrations in Bukit Bintang are just one glaring example.

If we are honest with ourselves, Malaysia is still not ready to call itself a developed nation when it comes to environmental awareness. Many families who dine at fast-food outlets still leave behind trays of unfinished food and trash on their tables, assuming it is the staff’s responsibility to pick up after them. The mindset is simple: “I paid, so someone else will clean up.”

This attitude also raises a question — are Malaysians truly ready for pet-friendly malls?

For now, the answer seems to be no. Some pet owners bring their dogs to public spaces but ignore their responsibilities when their pets urinate or defecate. Instead of cleaning up, they assume the mall cleaners will handle it. This is very different from what we see overseas, where dog owners are expected — and willing — to clean up after their pets.

Public toilets tell a similar story. Used tissues, sanitary products and even dirty diapers are often left behind, as if basic hygiene and respect for the next user are optional.

The debate over pet-friendly malls recently intensified after a newly opened shopping centre in Petaling Jaya reversed its policy within a week. Sunway Square Mall initially welcomed pets when it opened on Dec 11, but backlash from Muslim groups — along with intervention from the Selangor state government — led to an immediate policy change. The mall later announced that pets would no longer be allowed inside enclosed indoor areas to ensure a safe and hygienic environment for all visitors.

Pet ownership in Malaysia has increased significantly since the Covid-19 pandemic, with a 2024 survey showing more than six in ten households now owning a pet. Most of these are cats, while around 15 per cent are dogs. However, dogs remain sensitive within the Malay-Muslim community — which makes up over 63 per cent of Malaysia’s population — as contact with dogs requires ritual cleansing.

The Muslim Consumer Association of Malaysia (PPIM) has since called for a boycott of pet-friendly malls, saying the presence of dogs shows disrespect towards Muslims. Its leader, Datuk Nadzim Johan, said a coordinated boycott could impact traders due to the strong purchasing power of Muslim consumers.

All of this points to one uncomfortable truth: before debating policies and lifestyle choices, Malaysians must first confront a deeper issue — our collective civic responsibility. Cleanliness, respect for shared spaces and consideration for others are not just rules; they are reflections of who we are as a society.

Until our attitudes change, the path to becoming a truly developed nation will remain unfinished.

Grow Up — The City Isn’t Your Dustbin

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 26, 2025: If at night you can dress beautifully, find a nice spot, and record beautiful videos, then you can also keep the place beautiful.

The photos of Bukit Bintang on Christmas Eve are already enough to serve as a “mirror”. It’s not that people can’t celebrate. We want it festive too. But when everyone leaves and the floor is strewn with bottles, cups, cans, tissues and cigarette butts — that’s not “party culture”. That’s the culture of “I don’t care, someone else will clean it”.

What’s sad is that the ones picking it up aren’t robots. Cleaning workers have to work until dawn; others may step on broken glass, slip, and after rain, leftover drink containers collect stagnant water. We celebrate one night, the city bears it for days.

For New Year’s Eve 2026, let’s make a simple upgrade that looks classy. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being ashamed to let others clean up our mess.

Five things Malaysians should bring or do on New Year’s Eve 2026:

• Bring a small garbage bag

One group, one bag. All rubbish goes inside. Afterward, throw it away. Done. • Bring your own water bottle

Buy fewer single-use drinks. Less trash at the end. • Choose a spot with rubbish bins

If an area has no bins and is too crowded, don’t make it your “lepak spot” and leave it messy. • If something spills, clean it immediately Spills happen. Leaving it there is what annoys people. • Appoint a “group guardian”

One person is enough. Before moving: “Okay everyone, check your trash first.” This small act differentiates a considerate group from a careless one.

This New Year’s Eve 2026, let’s make sure what goes viral is not “floors full of rubbish”, but Malaysians celebrating with class — without leaving the dirty work to others.(Source: Public Health Malaysia)

Thank You, Malaysia Airlines

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 24, 2025: Last year, I fractured my left leg—more accurately, my foot—after missing a few steps on the stairs at home. A year has passed, and while I can walk again, my steps are still unsteady. The pain returns whenever I stand or walk for long periods, and I now rely on a walking stick whenever I leave the house.

Despite this, I recently decided to go on a short package holiday with my niece to Jakarta and Bandung, organised by Jawahir Travel & Tours, from Dec 9 to Dec 12. Our flight with Malaysia Airlines was smooth and pleasant.

However, the trip did not get off to the best start upon our arrival at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK). The airport has implemented a biometric screening system, and a few days before departure, all visitors were required to complete the All Indonesia form online—which we duly did. Everything should have gone smoothly, but it didn’t.

My passport repeatedly failed to clear the biometric checkpoints, no matter how many times it was tried. The security personnel explained that the system could not recognise one digit on my passport. Panic set in, especially as my niece and several others in our tour group—except for our tour leader Naquib and another member, Mustapha—encountered similar issues. After some back and forth, I was directed to the ‘All Passports’ to be manually checked by an immigration officer. Thankfully, everything was cleared. Strangely enough, my passport posed no problem at the next checkpoint.

What truly took its toll, though, was the walking. CGK is Indonesia’s largest and busiest airport, and the distances between points are considerable. Terminal 1, opened in 1985, mainly serves domestic flights; Terminal 2, opened in 1991, handles international flights; while Terminal 3, opened in 2011 and expanded in 2016, caters to both domestic and international travellers. The long walks through the airport were punishing on my already fragile foot.

It was then that I realised I should have requested a wheelchair. I later learned that Malaysia Airlines does provide this service. After my difficult experience at Jakarta airport, I requested wheelchair assistance for my return journey from CGK to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

To my surprise—and gratitude—after checking in at the Malaysia Airlines counter at CGK, with help from Naquib, the airline arranged for a staff member, a young lady, to assist me. She wheeled me comfortably all the way to the boarding gate. Even better, upon landing in KLIA, another staff member was already waiting with a wheelchair. A young man then wheeled me all the way to the baggage claim area and right up to the point where I could book my Grab ride home.

The service was seamless, thoughtful, and deeply appreciated.

Thank you, Malaysia Airlines.